Newbie POI project

 

So I decided I will try my hand at creating some POI files. Since I recently got stopped by cop near a school zone in the neighboring town I figured it would be nice to get a school zone POI file. Could not find anything free and did not want to pay for a file without knowing how much of my surrounding area was covered (Tewksbury, MA)

So after reading various tips and hints from here I went to Google earth and searched for middle/elementary schools around my town. But the list seem to never end! I kind of gave up after a few thousand. I think the list covers quite a few of the surrounding towns. But I did manage to export the list into multiple kml files, since I could not figure out how to get all into one list without saving them in My Places. Then I pulled all the files into ExpertGPS trial version at one shot (it automatically concatenates the list). Got the 3 column csv file out of it. Then after little tweaking in excel I was able to at the speed limit of 20 (to be safe) to the Waypoint name.

Finally I got the list into my Nuvi with POI loader. It shows all the stuff in the map. Will see if it actually works.

I am sure the list includes things which are not really schools, but some facilities related to schools. So in that sense it needs more work or refinement.

It was good for a newbie practice session smile But if somebody has a pointer to better data files regarding school zones in MA, I would appreciate it.

Try this

In Google Earth, under the Search Bar, click on Find Businesses. In What = public schools and Where = a town, county or specific address. This should limit the number of hits.

Other than that, sound like you are on the right track.

A caveat on geocoders. They will some time give a point that is the centroid of a zip code or city. Street accuracy can depend on the original ranges entered by the individual creating the line work. So, when using geocoders verify the location if it is critical that you arrive at the location.

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Computers are useless. They can only give you answers. - Pablo Picasso (Bob - Garmin c530, eTrex Vista HCx)

Another thought about using Excel

If you are using http://www.batchgeocode.com/ to do geocoding, it requires that you enter a zip code field. If the zip code has a leading zero and you use excel to export to a csv file. The zero will be dropped. You need a text editor so that the zero is not lost. Batchgeocode will give strange results with out the correct zip code.

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Computers are useless. They can only give you answers. - Pablo Picasso (Bob - Garmin c530, eTrex Vista HCx)

Excel, zip codes, and Leading Zeros

You can use Excel for zip codes with leading zeros if:
1. Before you enter the zip codes you right-click on the heading of the column which will contain the zip codes, click on 'Format Cells', and click on 'Text'.
2. When you save the file, save it as both an Excel file (xls) and a csv file. The leading zeros will be shown in both files.
3. When you again work on the file, always open the Excel file (not the csv file) with Excel ... the leading zeros will be shown. Do not open the csv file with Excel ... the leading zeros may be missing.

(Incidently, if you already have entered the zip codes and they are displayed without the required leading zeros, there is a way to get them back by using formulas. If you need to do this, email and I'll send you the procedure.)

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"Internet: As Yogi Berra would say, "Don't believe 90% of what you read, and verify the other half."

Thanks for the reminder

I had forgotten about the format cells.

--
Computers are useless. They can only give you answers. - Pablo Picasso (Bob - Garmin c530, eTrex Vista HCx)

trying it out

So yesterday as I drove back home the file generally worked except not all school related POIs that got picked up by the GE search have 20 mph speed limit smile

I will try to where=tewksbury filter next time. Hopefully it will allow to keep my task more manageable. Thanks for the tip.